Zuko Komisa
- Former elite officer Matipandile Sotheni has denied any involvement in the professional assassination of “Witness D.”
- The accused faces counts of murder and attempted murder following a fatal drive-by shooting in Brakpan.
- Sotheni claims he does not know his legal representative and has been denied the chance to tell his side.
Matipandile Sotheni, a former member of the elite Special Task Force, has pleaded his innocence before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.
Facing charges related to the brazen December 2025 killing of Marius van der Merwe known as “Witness D”, Sotheni told the court he has “nothing to do with this crime” and is eager to testify under oath to clear his name.
The state alleges that Sotheni was involved in a professional hit on Van der Merwe, who was gunned down outside his Brakpan home shortly after testifying about police misconduct.
The charges against the former officer are extensive, including premeditated murder, conspiracy, and three counts of attempted murder involving the victim’s wife and children.
In a dramatic courtroom moment, Sotheni expressed frustration over legal delays and social media scrutiny.
[WATCH] – Matipandile Sotheni rejecting his lawyer.
Sotheni told the Brakpan Magistrate Court he has no prior knowledge of the attorney representing him.
The former Special Task Force member is accused of murdering Madlanga Commission witness D. PM#KayaNews pic.twitter.com/IzEYh6RdhF
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) March 25, 2026
He further surprised the court by claiming he had never met his own advocate before the hearing and that no formal statement had been taken from him.
His bail application has been postponed to 13 May, leaving him in custody as investigations into the Madlanga Commission hit continue.
READ NEXT: Gunfight in Yeoville: Four killed as police crack airport robbery syndicate
The post ‘I have nothing to do with this crime’ – Former Task Force member denies Commission hit appeared first on KAYA 959.
